Trial ordered for man accused of killing estranged wife in Carlsbad

VISTA (CNS) – A man accused of repeatedly stabbing his estranged wife at their shared workplace in Carlsbad must stand trial on a murder charge, a judge ruled Tuesday.

Pedro Rosalino Zurita, 49, faces 26 years to life behind bars if convicted in the April 12 death of 37-year-old Ariflor Gonzalez.

Gonzalez, who was killed at a business park on Van Allen Way, was married to Zurita for 22 years but they separated in December. The couple had four children together, the youngest being about 3 years old at the time of the slaying.

“The defendant felt that the victim was moving on from the relationship and had rebuffed his attempts to reconcile,” Deputy District Attorney Susan Gust said at an earlier hearing.

Gonzalez was stabbed more than 30 times, according to the prosecutor, who said surveillance cameras captured images of Zurita chasing Gonzalez through a parking lot.

Zurita, a Mexican citizen, allegedly sped off in a vehicle after the killing, but was arrested within the hour.

Vista Judge Richard Monroy found that enough evidence was presented at this morning’s preliminary hearing for Zurita to proceed to trial. A Superior Court arraignment is scheduled Oct. 7.